What we’re covering
• Presiding over a military parade in Tiananmen Square to commemorate the end of World War II, leader Xi Jinping said China’s rise is “unstoppable.”
• Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un flanked Xi at the start as the trio stood together publicly for the first time — a defiant challenge to the US-led world order.
• Commenting on the parade, President Donald Trump accused China, Russia and North Korea of conspiring against the US.
• The parade unveiled hundreds of advanced weapons and featured over 10,000 troops, showcasing China’s growing military power under Xi’s push to modernize the world’s largest standing army.
Putin invites North Korea’s Kim to visit Russia after lengthy talks in Beijing
From CNN’s Anna Chernova and Todd Symons
Russian President Vladimir Putin invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Russia, as the pair wrapped up talks that stretched over two and a half hours in Beijing.
The two autocratic leaders met at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Western Beijing, after attending China’s massive military parade Wednesday morning.
Putin and Kim spoke one-on-one for an hour during the talks, Russian state news agency RIA reported.
The pair shared a hug and wished each other good health as Putin escorted Kim to his vehicle following the meeting, according to video released by the Kremlin.
“We are waiting for you… come visit us,” Putin was heard telling Kim in the video.
Kim last travelled to Russia in 2023, visiting a spaceport in the far east of the country.
The two leaders hailed their partnership in brief public comments before the negotiations, with Putin praising North Korean troops sent to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
China’s parade reveals its investment in the next generation of modern warfare
Beijing’s parade showcased a mix of conventional weaponry and advanced technologies, including drones and undersea robots, highlighting China’s significant investment in modern warfare capabilities.
